R2-D2 unit from Star Wars sells for $3.61 million

He didn't have a single line in any Star Wars film – save for a few cheery beeps – but R2-D2 managed to capture the hearts and wallets of science fiction fans around the globe.

So much so that one of the R2 units used in the filming of Episode IV: A New Hope has gone under the hammer at auction for a staggering $3.61 million ($US2.71 million).

Sold by auction house Profiles in History, the droid features a series of scars and burn marks that the character picked up as part of the film's plotline.

The R2 unit played a pivotal role in the film by transporting Princess Leia's message with the plans for the destruction of the Death Star, which forms the catalyst for the Rebel Alliance uprising.

(The R2-D2 unit sold at auction. Image: AAP)

Standing just over a metre tall, the droid can be controlled remotely to wheel around and speak. During the shooting of the originals Star Wars films, Lucas cycled through two models of R2-D2, one which was controlled electronically and one which housed English Actor Kenny Baker

Profiles in History declined to reveal who paid millions of dollars to own R2-D2, but did say that it was the most expensive item sold at the auction – an impressive feat when they also had an original lightsabre ($400,000) and Darth Vader's helmet ($96,000) up for sale.

Needless to say, R2-D2 gained enormous cultural influence through its appearance in every Star Wars film ever made.

In 2003, the droid was inducted into the Robot Hall of Fame, has rolled the red carpet at the 50th Academy Awards and even guest-starred in several segments of Sesame Street.